Nuclear Operations Program

The Nuclear Operations Program (NOP) offers entry-level positions for qualified candidates, challenging you to combine your technical and interpersonal skills. This fast track program is not a desk job. It's a dynamic, hands-on environment where you will spend most of your time supervising the operation and maintenance of a naval nuclear power plant as well as working one-on-one with Navy personnel in a challenging technical training environment. You can expect rapid career advancement in a setting that fosters critical problem solving, decision-making, team building and personnel development. KAPL is looking for self-confident engineers with the right combination of academic talent and interpersonal skills who are in search of technical leadership positions.

Responsibilities of NOP Engineers ...
include the training of naval personnel who will serve the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Fleet and the coordination of the complex maintenance and testing activities in the prototype plants and support facilities. You will develop the multidisciplinary competence required to lead a team of approximately 50 professionals in a dynamic operations environment.

The Program
Candidates for the program are needed throughout the year. The initial assignment involves a comprehensive fifteen-month training program. The first six months are spent in a graduate level academic environment at the Naval Nuclear Power School located in historic Charleston, South Carolina. Here candidates are exposed to a broadening technical background of fundamental concepts relating to naval nuclear propulsion plants. Courses include Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, Chemistry, Materials, Radiological Fundamentals, Reactor Dynamics and Reactor Plant Operations. The remaining nine months of the training program include on-the-job hands-on training in one of KAPL's two operating prototype plants located near Saratoga Springs, New York. After completion of the training program, engineers assume responsibility for coordinating complex maintenance and testing activities in the prototype plant and support facilities, training future naval personnel and developing the multidisciplinary competence required to lead a team of approximately 50 people. The broad experience gained in the Nuclear Operations Program is an excellent foundation to launch individuals into a variety of careers and to become major contributors within KAPL's world class engineering and scientific communities. It is here that cutting edge technologies are used to envision, design and deliver the Navy's future propulsion capabilities. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified material.

Educational Requirements
B.S. Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear or Chemical Engineering; other technical disciplines may also be considered.